Page 2 of Sold to the Alphas

A murmur rippled through the room, the alphas exchanging glances. I couldn’t tell if they were impressed or disgusted, but I wasn’t about to backpedal.

“You’re either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid,” another voice interjected—colder, sharper. Marshall Goddard’s dark eyes were fixed on me, making my skin tingle. “Defiance against an alpha sets a dangerous precedent. If we don’t handle this harshly, others will think they can do the same.”

“She didn’t act out of defiance,” Finnley intervened, his tone mocking but his eyes unreadable. “She acted out of desperation. She’s the only omega who has ever landed a hit, let alone a deadly one, on an alpha. A tiny thing like her wouldn’t be able to do that in normal circumstances.”

“And that’s supposed to excuse her?” Marcus snapped. After all this, I wouldn’t be surprised if he asked for my head. He was close friends with Raol, and he was probably seething atthe sight of me after what I’d done. Raol thought his council connections made him invincible, and maybe he would continue to think that once they got rid of me. The council couldn’t erase the nasty scar I’d inflicted on him, though.

“No, I’m not suggesting we excuse her,” Finnley drawled.

“She needs to be punished, Finnley,” said August.

Finn nodded. “I know that. Punishment, certainly. But death? Perhaps not,” he said.

He paired his stunning statement with a shrug, and judging from how the other alphas gaped at him, I knew they were as surprised as I was. I knew the consequences when I’d attacked Raol; I’d been fully prepared to go to my death to protect my sister.

The idea that I might not...was terrifying. Interesting—but mostly terrifying.

“There is no consequence that meets the crime other than death,” Marcus snapped, glaring at me. “An example must be made.”

The other alphas on the council were looking at me with renewed interest now, though. Leonard cocked his head to the side. “Perhaps she could serve manual labor? A year, say?”

The thought made my insides squirm, but I kept silent. I wasn’t built for manual labor; I might take the death penalty over that. It’s where I would end up anyway.

August shook his head, gesturing at me. “She wouldn’t last a day working labor. Look at her.”

The derisiveness of his voice made me bristle, but I stayed quiet. The longer they talked, the longer I lived.

The alphas continued to bicker and squabble, and I tuned them out. I wasn’t interested in everything they suggested Icouldn’tdo. All I needed to know was what I wasactuallygoing to do.

My answer came when Finnley finally cleared his throat, grimacing a little at his fellow alphas. “Look. I think it’s clear that we won’t reach a consensus on the type of punishment that her crime warrants.” He glared at Marcus, who was still staring at me as if I were a bug under his shoe. “But you have to admit...the fact she was able to take on an alpha with little injury...”

The other alphas furrowed their brows as they tried to figure out what Finnley was suggesting, and he elaborated. “I’m not saying that she doesn’t deserve a consequence. But it makes her...interesting. That’s all I’m saying.”

His voice was suggestive, and goosebumps rose on the back of my neck. I shifted back and forth between my feet as I listened.

Leonard raised a weathered brow. “What exactly are you suggesting, Barlow?”

Finnley leaned further back, stretching like a predator after a successful hunt. “I’m suggesting we don’t waste her.” His eyes flicked to me, gleaming with something dark. “She’s strong enough to defy her alpha. Imagine what she could do for the council with the right...guidance.”

Weston barked a laugh. “Guidance? She’s an omega, not a warrior.”

“Sometimes warriors come in unexpected packages,” Finnley replied, his gaze lingering on me. “And sometimes the fiercest flames come from the smallest sparks.”

August exhaled slowly, his piercing green eyes narrowing. “You want to claim her.”

Finnley shrugged. “Why not?”

Their words were just noise. My pulse thundered in my ears, and I kept my breathing steady. I was such a fool to think the worst punishment was death. I couldn’t afford to show weakness. I couldn’t let them see the trembling under my defiance or the fear coiling in my gut.

I opened my mouth to intervene, but a sharp glance from August made me fall quiet.

“You’ve made your case, omega. Now it’s time to decide.” He rose from his seat, silencing the entire room with his presence alone.

“You’re keeping her, then?” Leonard asked, his tone skeptical. Next to him, Marcus tensed at his words, his hands curling into tight fists. With how hard he was glaring at me, I was sure he was imagining how he’d punish me with his own hands. How he’d make me scream like Raol always threatened to do...

I shook my head, unwilling to let past threats affect me now. The past was the past, and I had new problems to worry about, ones I never imagined.

“Yes. Finnley, Marshall, and myself,” August said, his tone brooking no argument. “She’ll leave with us at dawn.”

---